Arts & Life

Weekend Holiday Performances: December 13-15

This holiday season, Oregon Art Beat and Arts & Life are helping you navigate the seasonal performances — some old and some new — with weekend previews of our best bets. Check out some of what’s on tap this weekend.

Oregon Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker

Blaine Truitt Covert

Under direction of new artistic director Kevin Irving, Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) brings back The Nutcracker, the traditional holiday ballet of rat armies, toy soldiers and snowflakes. OBT is still the only company west of the Mississippi River licensed to perform George Balanchine’s version of the ballet.

Principal dancer Alison Roper, who’s retiring at the end of the season, will take the role as the Sugar Plum Fairy and dance to Tchaikovsky’s score in the Grand Pas Des Deux. Joining her will be students of the OBT school and company dancers who will perform in the Land of Sweets. December 14-15, 18-24, Keller Auditorium, Portland More Information

More Weekend Holiday

Oregon SymphonyConductor Charles Floyd and the Northwest Community Gospel Choir bring in the holidays with an evening of gospel. December 13-15, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, PortlandMore Information

Holidays with the Trail BandThe Trail Band returns for the 20th year of this fabulous showcase, which includes an energetic blend of brass and string arrangements of traditional and original music. Besides their shows at Portland’s Aladdin Theater, this year’s tour includes stops in Canby, Salem, McMinnville, The Dalles, Forest Grove, Hood River and Vancouver, Washington.December 13-15, Aladdin Theater, PortlandMore Information

Rogue Valley Chorale: Christmas with the ChoraleEnjoy a traditional sing-along holiday program and the debut of Rogue Valley Chorale’s new artistic director, Laurie Anne Hunter. The show features a presentation of Benjamin Britten’s cantata Saint Nicolas along with other cherished Christmas Carols and holiday favorites.December 14-15, Craterian Theater, MedfordMore Information

The Christmas Revels: Christmas in Old EuropeThis year, the Christmas Revels celebrates the Winter Solstice in an old European town. The show features traditional song and dance from Central and Southeastern Europe and includes a special appearance from Eric Stern of The Vagabond Opera. December 12-15, Scottish Rite Center Theater, Portland More Information

Rudolph On Stage!Bad Reputation, the company that produced the irreverent bar plays Road House: The Play! and The Lost Boys — Live! take on the Rankin/Bass stop-motion story of the outcast reindeer. Kid-friendly matinees show December 14 and 21. Through December 21, CoHo Theater, Portland More Information

Artists Repertory Theatre: Xmas UnpluggedA holiday debauchery double bill for mature audiences, Xmas Unplugged is two short plays: The Reason for the Season and The Night Before Christmas. Playwrights Matt Pelfrey and Anthony Nielson’s two plays feature a churlish Santa, a kidnapped elf and a handful of hapless souls.Through December 29, Alder Stage, Portland More Information

Portland Center Stage: The Santaland DiariesBased on David Sedaris’ true-life experience as Crumpet the Elf during a memorable holiday season, this humorous Portland holiday tradition has Darius Pierce returning as Crumpet.Through December 29, Ellyn Bye Studio, Portland More Information

Oregon Cabaret Theatre: It’s A Wonderful Life — A Live Radio Play A piano, sound effects and five actors tell the classic George Bailey tale in a live radio play production. It’s a tried-and-true way to step back into the golden age of radio. Through December 31, Cabaret Theatre, AshlandMore Information

Stumptown Stages: It’s a Wonderful LifeA new musical adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic film is directed by Tony Award-winner Corey Brunish. The Stumptown original was nominated for several PAMTAs after it debuted last year.Through December 22, Brunish Hall, PortlandMore Information

Portland Center Stage: Twist Your DickensA comedic sendup of A Christmas Carol from the improvisational troupe The Second City, this show has characters of the classic tale finding themselves mixed up in zany holiday sketches. Through December 22, Main Stage, Portland More Information